Gear6 wrote:that's a different beast (x3650 M3 version) - it should have twice the memory bandwidth (DDR3, 1333Mhz, QPI - new architecture), six-core CPUs,
and more importantly, should lower you power bill (32nm, Integrated power gates: Allows reduction to idling cores at near-zero power)
it will cost more, initially, but on the long run, it will scale very easily (12 core/ 24 threads, 288GB max RAM, 16TB in 16x 2.5" bays, etc), and it's a current CPU/chipset generation.
(L.E. saw your update: maybe you can ask them for a quote on an M3 version too...)
Okay. Bringing this back up.
I need some serious thoughts here guys:
I can get the following for
$2395 shipped
M3 server version
up to 16 HDD's. (Comes with 8 so we can definitely expand in the future) -
Appears to be biggest advantage!
IBM SYSTEM X3650 M3 SELLER REFURBISHED SERVER
2 X INTEL XEON QUAD CORE L5520 2.26GHZ 8MB L3 CACHE PROCESSORS
(HOW DOES THIS COMPARE TO THE 3 GHZ E5450 CPU's on the $1750 server??? The cache appears to be WAY less... Also the E5450 CPU was a MUCH higher priced CPU on the initial release according to Intel ARK) (Also, for an extra $100 I can get the 2.8GHz CPU's too (X5560) ($2495))
16GB MEMORY
8 X 600GB 10K RPM 2.5 INCH SAS HARD DRIVES
SERVERAID-BRIL V2 CONTROLLER
DVD-ROM DRIVE
INTEGRATED DUAL PORT ADAPTER
REDUNDANT POWER SUPPLIES
RAIL KIT
30 DAY WARRANTY
I need some input here as this is going WAY above ($645 or $745 MORE) what we originally were seeking and I don't play the bait and switch game!!! You can thank gear6 for putting this in my head LOL!!!

I'm fine EITHER WAY and would be content with the original plan on the $1750 server. I've just learned that more hard drives in the future are a good thing

.
Serious thoughts please!!
Last but not least: I just assumed I would use Server 2008 Standard R2 as it's VERY reliable and has been out for a long time now and is DESIGNED to run on these servers... However, Server 2012 R2 is out now (As of 10/16/13)... Thoughts on this?? EDIT: I already have access to all the software, so no additional costs there!
Thanks guys!!!